Accurate Miniatures F3F-1

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hello;

I am just getting started on this kit and I discovered there are no decals for the instument panel. On the Microscale sheet they are referenced as decal B acording to the instruction booklet. Every letter is there but a B which is very odd. It goes A C D E etc. but no B. Has anyone else run in to this and how did you do your panel without the decal. The panel is clear to start with. Any sugestions would be appreaciated.

Bill

2

Hi there!

I just built this kit recently and definately had the IP decals…both are marked “B”…one is face up and the other , face down. Double checked the model and I absolutely used the decal. You say " on the Microscale sheet"…are you using after market decals? I used the kit decals and both were there. I guess you would have to find some refrence material to get accurate detail on the IP since the instructions only call for it to be painted flat black. You could try painting the IP white or silver then paint flat black, take a sharp knife and lightly scratch the black paint off of the instrument bezels or paint the IP flat black and dry brush white or silver to pick out the details. That`s all I got…hope this helps…good luck.

Len

3

Don’t forget that I’m pretty sure the kit decal is reverse printed. It’s meant to go on the back of the instrument panel. As a result it’s really indistinct on the decal sheet. Hold the sheet up to the light and you’ll probably find it.

4

The decal sheet I have is from Microscale and it says ACCURATE MINIATURES 2003 3413-0300 F3F-1. The sheet is 6x6 and is covered in decals but nothing for the control panel. I would send a picture but dont know how to in this forum.

Bill

5

Bill,

I went thru my spare decales and found that exact sheet, which means maybe you have a defective decal sheet. The IP decals are about 2/3 of the way down on the right side of the sheet. You may want to try getting a replacement from AM…Ive dealt with them a few times and they were great! On the other hand, its such a small, nothing-of-an -IP, you may want to try one of the painting techniques I mentioned before. Once in the cockpit, its not so prominent that a good drybrushing will give the desired effect. Anyway, thats the sheet I used on my kit and the decals were there. No matter how great a company is , its always a hassle getting the ball rolling on replacement parts. So I guess you have to decide if you REALLY need em or you can do without! Good luck…

Len

6

I really wanted to use the decal. I have sent an email to AM but it says on there site decals are no longer available, If anyone has the decals and are willing to part with them it would be appreaciated.

Bill

7

I talked to Accurate miniatures about the missing decal and he sent me not one decal sheet but two. Now that is service.

Bill

8

Bill,

I bought one of their TBMs on E-bay and it was missing a clear part and the canopy masks...they sent me the entire clear sprue and 2 sets of masks, which worked out really well cause I have a second TBM that didn`t come with a mask set. I dealt with a woman named Brandie and she was great. They have excellent kits and service!

Len